178th Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta

Following a wonderful week last year, we are on the final countdown to this years 178^th Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. 

In the run up to Regatta Week on Friday 18^th August, the Tennis Tournament gets under way along with the Rowing. Saturday 19th August sees our Family Fun Weekend, sponsored again by Goulden & Sons, begin. The fun starts at 10am at the Bandstand in the Royal Avenue Gardens at the very heart of Dartmouth where we have a fantastic range of activities going on for all the family. We have old favourites like Professor Bumble who will be running his Circus skills workshops and performing his ever popular children’s show on the Saturday. Meanwhile at the top of town, taking place in the Outdoor Pool, the Swimming Gala is back. On the Sunday we have a member of the Magician’s Circle, Ozzie D, entertaining the crowds with various games and magic shows.  Along with children’s arts and crafts, there will also be plenty of interactive animal encounters with the Lakemoor Alpacas, Dartmoor Zoo and Prickles in a Pickle, you can learn more about the Seal Project, the Ash Rescue Centre and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue team and also get to watch the four-legged parade as part of our annual Dog Show! 

The Sailing and Rowing programmes get underway with the Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dittisham Yacht Club & Dartmouth Yacht Club all doing what they do best with their trained crews and for the not so trained ‘crews’ there is the Kon-Tiki Raft Race on Saturday 26^th August and the Local Rowing heats kick off on Sunday 20^thand Monday 21^st August with the finals being held on the Friday 25^th August. 

Tuesday 22^nd August at 8pm sees the return of Dartmouth’s Firewalk - back by popular demand!. Working with Scott Bell, 2 x Guinness World Record Holder and UK FireWalk, you will have the chance to walk the red-hot glowing embers and raise some money for our local community groups. This year accompanied by the amazing Barbican Theatre Electric Eels. Registration and full details can be found on our website of this amazing event sponsored by Bays Brewery.

Mid-week the Pilot Financial Series & Junior Dinghy Races, the Passage Race, Gaffers & White SailEvents and the Coastal Rowing heats are all under way. Plus for the 178^th Regatta we have the Waterborne Tug of War on the River Dart. Fun afloat as well with the Scavenger Hunt and the Waterborne Treasure Hunt. On the closing Saturday the Coronation River Parade sponsored by Premier, Noss on Dart sets sail,where we hope to see around 50 vessels taking part in another fabulous River Parade, joined by the Steam Boats and followed by a magnificent Flyboarding display.

We have live Music throughout the day in Royal Avenue Gardens to entertain you for FREE. Although we do ask you to donate what you can to support your local Regatta. Saturday and Monday night sees the return of the Silent Disco, then our live music programme of performances start in the Royal Avenue Gardens on Monday with Jack Wotton! Other performers for the week; Mark Ely, Mick & Lucy and 4Play all being wrapped up on the Saturday closing with the Waves Collective. You will also see unique performances by the Sea Galls in the Bandstand with pop up appearances around the town.. weather allowing.

Our traditional events continue with Regatta Praise on Sunday 20^th August and the Regatta Recitals daily at St Saviours Church along with the morning Bell Ringing.

Our sporting regatta continues through the week with the Tennis and we also have the Golf Tournament on Wednesday held at the Dartmouth Hotel & Golf Club. 

The Information Hut will back ‘centre stage’ in the Royal Avenue Gardens for all your questions and the answers.  Pick up your copy of the Special Edition Coronation Programme with a collectable piece of artwork on the front cover by local artist Paul Barclay. The cover is perforated so it can be removed and framed along with a copy of a very special letter on the reverse. A collectable pair if you had last year’s programme! And while you are there remember to pick up your entry form for Spot The Oddity, Dartmouth’s favourite competition where you can take in all the local businesses whilst looking for that ‘oddity’ in their windows!

Wednesday evening is our traditional Opening Ceremony in Royal Avenue Gardens hosting our local dignitaries, followed by Beating Retreat by Her Majesty’s Royal Marine’s Band, Collingwood.  Billy Baker & James Harris will be performing in the Royal Avenue Gardens.

The Shopping Parade is the ideal location to stroll and shop located on the North Embankment, the stands here as well as with those in the Royal Avenue Gardens provide a broad range of local gifts, food and drink. From Cosmetics to Crafts, Rum to T-shirts, Milkshakes to Chocolate, something for everyone. 

Take part in the Ice-cream Competition or the ‘Surf & Turf’ Fancy Dress in Royal Avenue Gardens, Colouring Competition or the Pavement Chalk Artist’s around the Boatfloat.

Supported each year by Dartmouth Town Council, we also welcome back Baker Estates as our Platinum sponsor once more for 2023 joined this year by a new Platinum partner, Bays Brewery. 

Friday Fun sees Barrel Rolling, Waiters & Waitresses Races and the much anticipated International Trolley Grand Prix all on the embankment with Dartmouth’s annual Road Races.

On the Spithead this year you will find the Armed Forces Military Village with the Mobile Outreach Van with various bits of kit to display and dress up kit to try on.

Finally, wrap up on the Saturday evening with our Closing Ceremony followed by, as always, the amazing Fireworks Display.

This year Dartmouth Regatta are proud to be proactively part of a Clean Regatta Programme 

Full details on this and all our events can be found in our special edition Souvenir Programme - with another collectable cover, Website and Social Media and our Newsletters. 

www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk